FG rules out forceful eviction of IDPs in FCT

Three agencies of the Federal Government have assured internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja that they will not be forcefully evicted from their current camps until the government was able to permanently resettle them.

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Bem Angwe, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammed Sani Sidi and Director, Internal Security, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Isaac Idu gave this assurance in Abuja Wednesday.

They spoke at a meeting of a committee set up to address the plight of IDPs in the FCT, including facilitating their proper resettlement.

Angwe said from interaction with the IDPs, most of them were willing to return to their home towns.

He said it was the responsibility of the relevant government agencies to help facilitate the return of the IDPs to the home, and ensure they are properly resettled.

Sidi, who corroborated Angwe’s position, said his agency was ready to work with the NHRC and other related agencies in ensuring the rights of the IDPs are not violated.

“We will ensure their safe return to their home states in dignified manner. They will not be forcefully evicted from their current camps, but will be help to relocate,” Sidi said.

Idu said the Office of the National Security Adviser was in support of efforts to address problems being experienced by IDPs.

He assured that “We will not engage in forceful eviction of the IDPs. But will assist in efforts to ensure they are well catered for.”

About 500 IDPs residing in an uncompleted estate in Apo, FCT had, on August 14 protested at the NHRC headquarters over alleged threat to evict them. The protest let to the setting up of the committee head by Oparah to workout modalities for sending the IDPs back to their various camps in their states of origin and sensitize the people in that regard.